I have had around the same amount of MGB roadsters Randy. Good easy cars to work on and cheap parts too. Matt. It was one of the last ones, but i not an LE, I did have a couple of LE MGB's over the years, pic of the last one below with alloy wheels. Grant Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just been up to see Mike and Rob. Most of the engine is all in bags in Robs work shop [ pic's to follow] and the main block has been sent off to be checked for tolerance's, but Rob says its not bad, so that's good news and will not need a full rebuild but more of an overhaul and replace any worn parts, rings, valves, etc. Mike has been busy making the frame for the boot lid. 1st pic shows the frame being made. 2nd shows the barrier tape on it to stop corrosion between the two surfaces. 3rd show the new original Spyder lid being prepared. 4th shows it fitted to the car. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Matt It will be with additive as i have no leaded pumps within 40 miles of me as far as i know! Have a good weekend Grant
Hi Grant Happy Easter to you too - might give the red beastie a run down to Goodwood on Monday to watch the spring sprint if the weather in reasonable Matt
Grant, It's actually starting to look like a car again; that must renew your enthusiasm? Have you been given any idea of an approximate completion date, like this Fall, next Spring, anything? We're all excited for you, and always looking forward to more pictures. Randy
Yes it's all go at the moment Randy, no date but i don't think it will be this year. As promised here's some pic's of the engine strip down, the last two i have put in to show the craftsman's ship of Rob who doing on this E-type Jaguar for Mike brother which was a complete rust bucket to start with. Grant Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Grant, just looking at your engine photos I have to suspect that you're going to need to freshen up your bores and your pistons will be worn. If so, do yourself a big favour a replace the original pistons with JE forged 10:1 pistons. www.jepistons.com About US$125 each from memory, including pins and rings. They're lighter, stronger and allow you to run a tighter piston to bore clearance. Adds about 30bhp and makes the engine even nicer. The cooling system copes perfectly, there is no downside to the upgrade. Don't forget to replace the sodium cored exhaust valves with solid stem valves. GT Car Parts in Arizona are a good source +1 623-780-2200. They also do a complete gasket and seal kit for the engine, which is much better value than you'll find from the usual parts sources in the UK. Regards, Ian Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
wow Ian Thanks for the great info and contacts, i will need some of them for sure. Rob did look at the pistons and bores and thought they where ok but they are being checked just to be sure. If the info i have is correct they where replaced with the engine rebuild about 16,000 miles ago but still that was a long time ago, so i will just have to wait and see. Grant
So why stop there. Couldnt he also get some "free" horsepower" by titanium valves, stems and spings? Lower weight, higher strength........
The car's coming out great! I just read the entire thread. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Can't wait to see it finished.
Surely would only get more hp if changed cams to more aggressive profiles to make use of this lighter valve train, ie. hp at higher revs. Pete
Thanks for the kind comments 4Za, Yes it's getting close to painting. Pete i am not after max power, it was just an great option if i had to replace the pistons, as it happens i have heard back from Rob with the good new on the engine, he had a phone call today saying pistons and bores are all GOOD. Not much wear at all and well within tolerances, just a clean of skirt required ! I will have the full low down tomorrow when Rob has the full report. I received a few more pic's from Mike today attached. the second one shows the button on the door skin under the handle that Mike is proud of as the old door skin did not have this. If anyone wants a rusty rear clip, i have it on e-bay at the moment, would you believe someone wants to turn it in a seat!!! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260392424502 Grant Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
If it doesn't sell, you could convert it to one of these: http://www.fiftiescollectibles.com/couch.htm
Last panel fitted today, so it will soon be ready for Mike to do the lead work. Grant Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Grant, when this is all done, what besides the VIN # will differentiate your car from one that was originally built by Scaglietti? It seems that all the proper strengthening is being applied to your car, and should be as good as the genuine article. This has been a fascinating journey, just from the sidelines, I can't imagine it from your standpoint (and I don't even want to think about the labour charges...).
A fascinating journey indeed! I've been watching this silently with a lot of respect. It's a real joy to see something being done right, particularly when it's a Daytona Spyder. Much respect to you for turning a "Holey Daytona" into one solid piece of automotive art.
Hi Randy It should be pretty much the same as the original Spyder when done. [ certainly one of the most structurally accurate conversions if not the most structurally accurate]? With most conversions it is easy to tell as soon as you lift the bonnet. Thanks for the kind words "The Cheddar" It's starting to get scary now, as before it was just rusty bit's of metal. I have to keep pinching myself when i think of what i will actually own. A few more pic's from Mike. He has been busy leading the body work of the car. No plastic filler here, just the way Ferrari used to do it. Grant Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Grant, beautiful job on your daytona, i have a rebodied daytona also (thread posted on f-chat) what are you going to do with the chrome moldings on top of the doors? if mike is going to fab them let me know i would be in for a set..thank you, great thread Chuck Coli U.S.A.
You mention you're able to re-use the pistons. Are you doing anything with the valve gear? We dyno'd a Daytona engine that had been stood for a while (having checked the bottom end bearings) and found it lost power above 4500rpm. We replaced the valve springs and it then ran pefectly. I would be very tempted to replace the sodium filled valves at the same time. PS I've always wondered what the title of this thread refers to. Post #1 says: ''The Holey Daytona -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the story so far of the Holly Daytona [mine] '' Are we talking Holey or Holly or both?
HI Tasman. The title was a a bit of a play on words [tickled my sense of humor at the time, as to me it was both Holly and had holes] RE engine question, some of the parts to be changed are:- Rods and small end bushes. new valves and guides, euro spares sell the solid s.s. valves. re cutting of seats. polish or regrind crank both cylinder heads are perfect, each were checked in 45 points and found to be less than half a mm out. [ good news] Hi Chuck. E.G. Autokraft actually got the correct Spyder molding for the top of the side windows! but Mike managed to bend one when removing them. I am not sure if it can be corrected or if he will make some new ones, but if he has to make new one's, i will ask him to make some extra. As for the color Jack you will have to wait and see [ so i don't get talked into changing my mind ] But what i will say is, it will be a colour i want and love and not a choice based on the resale value. Grant
Grant, It's coming along nicely. Getting close to paint, can't wait to see it coated in whatever color you choose.